Some of the minor details have changed, schematically speaking, but the overall theme for Ruston’s defense has been the same: opponents that make the run game their No. 1, and at times their only, weapon.

Ruston has another one of those on tap for this week as Pineville comes to Ruston with just nine completed passes for the entire season, opting to run 302 times for 1,726 yards in six games.

“They're going to line up and come right at us,” Ruston coach Brad Laird said. “We had a little taste of that last week (against West Monroe), so we're going to see how we react to that this week.”

Pineville’s rushing attack comes with a different challenged by the running teams that came before them like West Monroe and Wossman: Pineville has adapted.

“They were in the flexbone in the previous two films we got. They were running option and things like that, then last week they were running the I(-formation), pro and slot, and running downhill,” Laird said. “It's the same personnel.”

So now the Bearcat defense is forced to prepare for both attacks and all of the intricacies in the two.

“You have to, because they've shown it,” Laird said. “They've showed they can run the flexbone, so you at least have to show the young men and how to play it if they show it.”

The Rebels also excel at stopping the run with a pair of linebackers, Jacob Joffrion and Jordan Brown, leading Pineville in tackles.

“No doubt it starts with the two linebackers,” Laird said. “No. 52 (Brown) is their leading tackler, and No. 41 (Joffrion), they're both real good tacklers and they both do a good job of finding the football and reading their keys.”